It’s not a secret that Asian celebrities have become some of the most influential players in the fashion industry. Magazine covers, front rows, and runways have served as the perfect backdrop for them to display their influence and associations. However, when it comes to these stars, even social media is a tool to showcase their style sensibilities. Whether it is documenting their day-to-day wardrobe or immortalizing their best looks, Asian stars have made a stylebook of their Instagram feeds.
Of course, it helped that 2022 offered plenty of fashion moments to chronicle. Events like the Met Gala and Fashion Week provided the perfect setting for entertainment icons like Evan Mock, Bright Vachirawit, and Win Metawin to step out in the coolest fashion. But even on a normal day, stars such as NCT’s Taeyong and rapper Chanmina demonstrated that you don’t need a special occasion to dress to the nines. Looking back to a year filled with exciting red carpets, fashion shows, and everyday A-style, EnVi recaps some of the most compelling, Instagram-worthy looks by Asian stars.
SEVENTEEN’s THE8 at AMI’s Seoul Event
Xu Minghao — better known as THE8 — is recognized as SEVENTEEN’s fashionista for his bold, experimental style. Last October, Minghao was a front-row guest at AMI’s SS23 fashion show in Seoul and he sported an outfit for the books. At the event, the dancer donned a full-length shiny brown coat fresh off the racks of AMI’s recently released Fall 2022 collection. The singer styled the piece with a pair of leather gloves and although AMI is known for its modern yet relatable take on fashion, the idol managed to turn this item into a cinematic, hard-to-forget look. — Vanya, Fashion & Beauty Writer
Hande Erçel in Gucci
Whether onscreen, the red carpets, or her Instagram feed, Turkish star Hande Erçel always lives up to her main character role. At the Elle Style Awards, the actress stunned in a purple Gucci gown taken from the Gucci Love Parade collection. The dress, previously worn by Lady Gaga to the premiere of House of Gucci (2021), featured a long cascading cape and draping details. But unlike Gaga, who styled the piece with patent leather boots, Hande gave the dress an elegant touch with platform sandals, statement earrings from Atasay Jewelry, and a sleek ponytail. Of course, before hitting the red carpet, Hande took to Instagram to flaunt the look and further prove why she’s considered Turkey’s ultimate leading lady. — Mayra Peralta, Fashion & Beauty Editor
YENA in SMARTPHONE
For her second mini album, SMARTPHONE, K-pop star YENA fully embraced this year’s love for Y2K’s aesthetics. The singer explored hyperpop and kidcore influences in a series of teaser images, adding her own twist to classic elements of 2000s fashion. Posing for a mirror selfie, YENA showed off a blue two-piece knit set decorated with a floral pattern. Complete with matching fingerless gloves, pink platform boots, and statement chokers, the outfit could have been pulled straight off of a Pinterest board. Details like bejeweled nails, blue highlights, and wireless headphones tied everything together with SMATPHONE’s video game concept. — Valentina Doukeris, Fashion & Beauty Writer
Asmara Abigail at Bulgari’s FW 2022 Show
Known to be a rising style icon in the arts and entertainment industry, Indonesian actress Asmara Abigail always steals the show when she walks into the room. During her attendance at Bulgari’s FW 2022 leather goods and accessories presentation at Milan Fashion Week, the actress went for a sultry and provocative look that oozed confidence. The black cut-out dress was paired with strappy silver heels and an iridescent tie-up corset. With a bold unapologetic take on fashion, Asmara is definitely an Asian star the world should keep its eyes on. — Vanya, Fashion & Beauty Writer
Win Metawin at the Prada SS23 Men’s Show
Thai TV frontman, Win Metawin made waves throughout 2022 with his fashion activities and his Instagram feed is a reflection of it. From Fendi to Gucci, fashion brands couldn’t get enough of the actor. However, perhaps his most notable association is with Prada. As a friend of the house, the star traveled to Milan to attend the brand’s Spring-Summer 2023 show and he scored a winning look for the front row. Big times call for big items, so Win sported an oversized printed jacket under a total black look — all taken from Prada’s FW 23 collection, of course. Amid a star-studded group of VIPs that included NCT’s Jaehyun, Hollywood actor Rami Malek, and K-drama star Song Kang, Win still stole the show. As per Launchmetrics, “Win’s attendance at Prada’s SS23 Milan Men’s Fashion Week show brought the luxury house $4.7 million in MIV®.” Talk about making an impact. — Mayra Peralta, Fashion & Beauty Editor
ATEEZ’s Hongjoong on Show! MusicCore
Playful, experimental, and androgynous are all words to describe the style ATEEZ’s Hongjoong is recognized for. Performing the pop-punk anthem “Guerilla” at Show! MusicCore, the star sported an embroidered jersey with overlapped effect by Givenchy. The piece was paired with black shorts and a gray half-skirt, with accessories such as a black beret, and knee-high boots. Given his style chops, it is no surprise that Hongjoong effortlessly tapped into the rebellious nature of punk culture with this outfit. For finishing touches? He added a cane, a prop Hongjoong used throughout the promotions of “Guerilla.” — Ellie Forte, Formation Editor & Beauty Writer
Olivia Rodrigo at the Met Gala
Olivia Rodrigo, Gen-Z actress turned globally-renowned singer and undeniable fashion icon, made her second appearance at the Met Gala in May. For the dreamy, all-purple look, Donatella Versace drew inspiration from fashion’s current retro revival. Rodrigo wore an off-shoulder lavender dress and platform heels that glimmered as she walked the iconic steps of the Met. Long purple gloves and dainty jewelry brought a touch of Regencycore into the outfit. With purple butterflies adorning her hair and the makeup to match, Rodrigo’s outfit was one of the night’s most unforgettable looks. — Valentina Doukeris, Fashion & Beauty Writer
Hikari Mori at the Montblanc X Naruto Event
Attending the star-studded Montblanc x Naruto event in Tokyo last October, model and actress Hikari Mori managed to turn all eyes on her as she donned a floor-length cut-out dress by Tom Ford. The gown — made of a mix of mesh and velvet — was a perfect combination of edginess and elegance, with a body-hugging silhouette and cutouts that fell at all the right places. The star kept it simple in terms of beauty with a simple updo and natural makeup, letting her bold outfit speak for itself. — Vanya, Fashion & Beauty Writer
NCT’s Taeyong in Rick Owens
There’s not a time NCT’s leader, Taeyong, doesn’t serve the most fashionable looks, but the singer took it up a notch when NCT 127 departed for Thailand in December. Already well-known for his experimental and out-of-the-box approach to style, Taeyong debunked the myth that one shouldn’t wear heels to the airport. And he did it in the coolest of ways: dressed in a full look from Rick Owen’s Fall Winter 2022 runway that featured the popular Grilled Platform Boots. Delivering the kind of outfit only he can pull off effortlessly, Taeyong documented his #OOTD on Instagram with a caption that accurately described his sartorial spirit: “neo.” — Mayra Peralta, Fashion & Beauty Editor
Evan Mock at the Met Gala
When this year’s Met Gala opened under the theme of “Gilded Glamour,” avid followers of the event were eager to see what the world’s top stars might wear. While interpretations ranged from literal to literary, Gossip Girl star, Evan Mock, took on the theme with a satiny corset suit. Individual elements like the ruffled top and corset read old and regal, while the pant’s modern silhouette gave the overall modern air. Designed by Brooklyn-based label, Head of State, the suit is a buttercream blend of gender and eras, perfect for someone effortlessly chic like Evan. — Hajin Yoo, Fashion & Beauty Writer
Aditi Rao Hydari in Shyamal & Bhumika
Bollywood actress and Indian couturiers’ muse Aditi Rao Hydari champions Indian ethnic wear like no other. Amongst the many dazzling outfits that Rao Hydari has worn this year — ranging from the likes of Sabyasachi to Valentino — she stood out in a look from the recently launched Shyamal & Bhumika’s Wedding Couture Collection 2022. The actress was pictured flaunting some of the collections’ defining styles: dramatic hemlines, vivid color palettes, and a homage to handcraft embroidery. Details like the auspicious red mixed with age-old gold embroidery, glass beads, and sequins, served to highlight the collection’s visual narrative. — Jasmine Nahta, Hindi Translator
Stray Kids’ Hyunjin at YSL Beauty’s LIBRE LE PARFUM Party in Paris
When Stray Kids members Felix and Hyunjin arrived in Paris for YSL Beauty’s LIBRE LỆ PARFUM event in Paris, they broke their fandom, STAY. The “sunshine” and “romantic” of the group turn heads wherever they go, and their quick September getaway to Europe was no exception. Hyunjin in particular caught attention with his classic black blazer and the subtle details of his look. Leather accents added a hint of texture that contrasted with the gold-threaded interlocking “YSL” emblazoned on the blazer. A touch of warm eyeshadow and his styled wolf cut completed Hyunjin’s timeless look. — Sara Conway, Junior Managing Editor
Bright Vachirawit at Burberry’s SS23 Show
Bright Vachirawit is no stranger to Burberry’s events. However, the Thai actor made history when he became the British label’s first-ever brand ambassador to hail from South Asia Pacific. Standing at 6 feet tall and exuding an enigmatic air of elegance, Bright was a perfect match for a classic house like Burberry. This sentiment was perhaps no better exemplified than when Bright arrived at Burberry’s SS23 show in a black suit and coat for his front-row debut. The tailored suit remained true to Burberry’s traditional roots while subtle details on the shirt collar and the oversized leather jacket updated a classic look for the 21st century. In his youthful approach to the 166-year-old label, Bright consistently proves why he was chosen to represent Burberry. — Hajin Yoo, Fashion & Beauty Writer
Chanmina in Los Angeles
Thanks to the rise of dopamine dressing, 2022 was inarguably the year of Barbiecore. Hot pink was an inescapable color, finding its way into everything from fashion week runways to off-duty celebrity looks. Japanese-Korean artist Chanmina, no stranger to trying creative, non-conventionally styled outfits, made the trend her own during a trip to Los Angeles. The singer took on the West Coast summer in a white pleated micro-skirt, hot pink bedazzled bustier, and matching hot pink thigh-high boots. Never one to miss a detail, Chanmina accessorized with a cheetah-print head scarf and a 2005 Louis Vuitton “Lodge GM” purse featuring the iconic monogram in a black multicolor colorway. — Valentina Doukeris, Fashion & Beauty Writer
Did you enjoy reading about the best style by APAC stars? Find out how these celebrities have consolidated their influence in the fashion industry here.
